August 4, St. John Mary Vianney

Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.--Psalm 51:see 3

Mass readings: Numbers 12:1-13 / Matthew 14:22-36 or 15:1-2, 10-14

He Believes in Me

My uncle, an ex-Marine, claimed he taught each of his six children to swim by carrying them out to water over their heads and tossing them in. At first that sounds like pretty rough treatment, but at least the water wasn't over his own head, and I know he would have offered a rescuing arm if anything went awry. What impressed me, because I knew he loved his children, was his underlying conviction that, of course, a person could do anything if he or she had to.

In today's Gospel, Jesus has perfect confidence in Peter's ability to walk on water. (It's Peter's confidence that falters.) When my own life is stormy, I can feel lifted up knowing the Lord has that same confidence in me, if I will only trust in Him.

Prayer: Trusting in You, my Redeemer, I can accomplish what I could never do alone.